PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Police Department says officers shot and killed a man who fired at them during a traffic stop in the Logan section of the city Wednesday night. One of the officers was wounded during the shootout.
Police say at around 6:45 p.m., a marked police car pulled a Kia Optima over at 15th Street and West Somerville Avenue, which is just west of Broad Street and Einstein Medical Center. Police say the driver failed to stop at a stop sign.
There were three men and a woman in the car, according to police. When the officers got their identification, investigators say, they saw there were warrants for the arrest of two of them, the driver and a rear passenger. The officers called for backup.
After more officers arrived, police say, six of them approached the car and demanded one of the passengers in the backseat, now identified as 24-year-old James Alexander, get out.
"That passenger then produced a firearm, and there was a confrontation in which gunfire was exchanged," said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. "The male that produced the gun was shot."
Alexander was taken to the hospital, where he died. During the shootout, Outlaw said one of the officers was shot in the foot. He was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and has been released.
"I’m glad our officer is safe. I’m glad our officer is stable," Outlaw said after visiting him in the hospital. "I’m glad no one in the community or nearby surrounding areas was hurt. These things have an impact on everybody. There’s no winners."
The 29-year-old officer has not been identified. Outlaw said he has been with the department since 2016.
Police say the driver was wanted for parole and probation violations in Philadelphia, and Alexander had an outstanding warrant for “bail jumping” in Wisconsin.
The three other people in the car were not hurt. They were taken in for questioning.
According to a police department spokesperson at the scene of the shooting, the officers had body cameras on and they will be reviewed.
“Utilizing deadly force is one of the most difficult decisions that an officer will ever face,” added Outlaw. “These actions have long-lasting effects on everyone, not just those directly involved in these incidents. I want to assure the public that a thorough and complete investigation will be conducted into this police-involved shooting.”
CORRECTION: A 24-year-old man, not a woman, was shot, contrary to initial information from police on the scene.